Good soil

October 3rd – Luke 8:15

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Luke 8:15

There’s something special about planting a garden. You put a tiny seed into the ground, cover it with soil, water it, and then you wait. You don’t see much happening at first, but underneath the surface something is beginning to grow. And in time, that little seed begins to produce something beautiful.

Jesus uses this same picture to teach us about our hearts. God’s Word is like a seed, and our hearts are the soil. We can hear His Word every day, but hearing it isn’t enough. We have to receive it, hold onto it, and allow it to take root in our lives.

But sometimes our hearts can become hard or crowded. Worry, disappointment, fear, and the hurts we carry can take up so much space that we leave very little room for God’s Word to grow. Or to reach the places in our hearts that need it most.

The good news is that God can change the soil of our hearts. He can soften what has become hard, and make room for something new to grow. Yet just like a garden doesn’t produce a harvest overnight, spiritual growth takes time too. Time for God to work beneath the surface to strengthen our faith, change our hearts, and teach us to trust Him one day at a time.

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February 22nd – Luke 8:15

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Luke 8:15

What exactly is good soil in Jesus’ parable found in Luke? It is a heart that is open, honest, and humble. A heart that is genuinely and sincerely  searching for the truth and longing to abide in Christ. Would this describe your heart? This type of heart is the first prerequisite to growing and producing fruit in our faith. Because fruitfulness is the natural result of a heart that is surrendered to God. One that not only studies God’s Word, but is careful to obey it. (Ezra 7:10)

So what is the key to bearing godly fruit? Jesus explained it in John 15:4-5, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” Bearing fruit in the Christian life requires abiding in Jesus. He not only promises that those who abide will “bear fruit” (John. 15:2), but “bear much fruit” (v. 8), and “bear fruit…that will last.” (v.16). And don’t we all want that?

Each minute of each day we should walk a surrendered life. Inviting Jesus to come in and live His life through us in order for Him to love and serve others through you. And ultimately when that happens, not only will you be amazed at all HE can do through you, but Jesus will be glorified and you will be blessed!

Blessings!

Sue

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September 11th – Matthew 13:23

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Matthew 13:23

In the parable of the sower, or parable of the four soils, Jesus explains four different responses of people who hear the Gospel. The first is a hard soil, in which the seed, (the Word of God), does not penetrate the heart. And God’s seed becomes nothing more than food for the birds. The next is stony soil. It provides just enough for the seed to sprout, but doesn’t have the depth needed for the seed to take root. And at the first sign of trouble, the seed withers and dies, and God’s Word forgotten. The thorny soil, allows the seed to grow, but the love of the world takes over. It chokes out the good plants with weeds and produce no fruit. But the good soil is fertile and eager to receive the seed of God. It hears, understands, and obeys His Word, producing much fruit. It sprouts and blooms in glory to the Lord. The good soil provides a bountiful harvest for God to reap. So let me ask, which soil are you?

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